Author launches unique children's book company

Greenbelt novelist self-produces customizable storybooks

Inspired by her two toddler nieces who were starting to spell and recognize their own names, Greenbelt resident Donna Hemans decided she would create personalized storybooks for children to read stories with themselves as the lead character.

Hemans, 38, is no stranger to writing; her 2002 novel, "River Woman," was a Zora Neale Hurston/Richard Wright Legacy Award nominee in 2003. Her short fiction has appeared in multiple publications including "MaComere," the journal of the international organization Association of Caribbean Women Writers and Scholars.

In October, Hemans launched her storybook company, MyMimiSays, from her home office.

Developing the gender- and culture-neutral main characters was the biggest obstacle for Hemans in putting together the first two storybooks, "The Very Sleepy Firefly" and "If You Take an Animal Home."

"It's the one thing I consistently wanted," said Hemans, who is originally from Jamaica. "I wanted to create books that could be read by children of any culture, age or gender so they can appeal to anyone without being limited."

"If You Take an Animal Home" is a book about the silliness of a child taking zoo animals home for pets, and "The Very Sleepy Firefly" is a calming bedtime storybook that encourages young children to find confidence in having a unique gift, Wright said.

Both books were illustrated by Utah-based artist Sam Ricks, 28.

"Donna is easy to work with," Ricks said. "She has confidence in me as an illustrator. If she has a strong opinion she'll say something, but by and large she lets me do my part of the books, and I let her do her part of the books."

Currently, Hemans has taken 50 orders and plans to publish another four children's books next year.

Her marketing consultant, Kristy Salsbury of Washington, D.C., said she expects the business to grow with its high-quality products and characteristic illustrations.

"The artist has a great eye for what's appealing to adults and children; they are very playful and whimsical." Salsbury said. "Donna uses high-quality paper where the ink entirely saturates the page; it's very likely they will be around for years to come."

The books took about a year to make into 24-page, illustrated hardcover storybooks.

Each book was made into a template to customize the name that appears in the title on the cover and within the storybooks as the main character.

"They are great for children with unique names or might be from different ethnic backgrounds. Having something with their name too will help make them more confident in their own skin," said Tamu Wright of Washington, D.C., who ordered the books as Christmas gifts for a friend.

The books are available to customize at www.mymimisays.com and cost $27 per copy.